Important Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy Update – Receipt of Disclosure Statement Package

If your church currently charters or previously chartered a Boy Scout, Cub Scout or Explore Troop, you are likely to receive “Disclosure Statement Package” from the Boy Scouts of America in the next few days. If your church does not receive the packet, you can safely ignore this update. If you do receive the packet, do not take any action at this time. Simply retain it for future use.

NONE OF THE FORMS SHOULD BE FILLED OUT BY A LOCAL CHURCH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. More information on this will be provided by GCFA in the next two weeks.

The Disclosure Statement Package mailing is being sent to all chartered organizations that sponsored a troop. It is intended to summarize for chartered organizations how the Boy Scouts of America’s (the “BSA”) proposed plan of reorganization (i.e. their plan to emerge from bankruptcy) will affect the legal rights of chartered organizations with respect to scouting-related sexual abuse claims potentially connected to chartered organizations.

The package will include the following:

• A “plain language” summary of the Disclosure Statement drafted specifically for chartered organizations
• An “opt out” form relating to options all chartered organizations have as to how sexual abuse claims against each chartered organization will be dealt with
• A ballot for casting a vote for or against the plan (only local churches that timely filed a “proof of claim” with the bankruptcy court will receive a ballot. Other chartered organizations will only receive the rest of the package.)

The United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee is developing recommendations for local churches on how to complete the forms, including the ballot, which will be shared as soon as they are complete and well before the voting deadline of December 14, 2021. Local churches will also be provided with a summary of the most important aspects of the plan. Additionally, informational sessions for district superintendents as well as webinars for church leaders about how to complete the form, why the vote matters and how the outcome may affect our congregations will be provided by GCFA.